No one wants to discover that they have a creepy crawly or furry friend living with them uninvited. It’s more common than people think to have pests in your home, and it doesn’t mean that your house is dirty.
The UK is affected by a number of pests, but luckily there are easy ways to prevent them and treat them if you are unfortunate enough to be infested. Read on to find out about the 10 most common pests and what you can do if you discover them.
Mice
Mice might look cute, but they can spread disease as they make their way around your home looking for food. They can also cause damage to your property as they naturally gnaw at furnishings and even electrical wires, causing a serious risk to your family.
You can proof your property against rodents by ensuring that all gaps where mice could get in are plugged and trim branches near guttering so they can’t jump into your roof. If you already have an infestation, set traps or call a pest controller who can give you advice on what to do.
Moths
Whilst a nuisance, moths don’t pose any health risks to you or your family. But some moths are seen as pests because their larvae can damage your clothes and stored products. The moth caterpillars will eat the protein in natural materials like wool, cotton and silk, which can cause a lot of damage to delicate items in your home. You can prevent moths by ensuring you vacuum regularly to get rid of any larvae. If you already have moths, set traps for the adults, wash all linen and clear out cupboards and wardrobes.
Rats
Rats can spread many serious diseases, so if you have an infestation you want to get it sorted out quickly. Call a pest controller if you have a serious problem. They will probably recommend rodenticides, and offer a planned programme of anti-pest monitoring to prevent the problem reoccurring.
Bed bugs
Wasps
Wasp nests can cause a lot of annoyance as they are dangerous to handle and wasps can cause nasty stings. Always get a qualified pest controller to deal with wasps.
Flies
Flies are very irritating, but small infestations can usually be dealt with with a bit of DIY, like light traps. If a problem is left to get larger, it can cause health risks as flies spread diseases. If you have a large infestation, get a pest controller to remove a breeding site.
Ants
Most ants in the UK are harmless to humans and aren’t thought to carry diseases, but they may have been foraging outside in things that could be harmful. The best thing to do if you notice ants is to seal off where they are coming in and make sure there are no sweet foods or residues around.
Spiders
Luckily, most species of spiders in the UK are harmless, but it doesn’t stop many of us being scared of them. The best thing to do if you find a spider is send it back outside, vacuuming up any webs or eggs. But pest experts will come out to give advice on larger spider infestations.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches carry Salmonella, Dysentery and Gastroenteritis, so you really don’t want these in your home. They breed incredibly quickly, so it’s vital that you seek professional help in eradicating these pests before it gets out of hand. 
Woodworm
Woodworm covers many different types of wood boring beetles, but they all can cause problems in your home.
They can infest floorboards and other wooden furniture, and the larvae make a maze of tunnels over years. This is a good way to see if you have a woodworm problem. Pest controllers can use a water-based, fogging or fumigation treatment to eradicate these pests.
If you suspect you have any of these pests, use our service to get up to 4 free quotes from trusted pest controllers who can advise on the best course of action.